PESHAWAR: The number of HIV cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has increased at an alarming rate, with 481 new cases reported during the first four months of 2026, according to health authorities.
Officials from the provincial health department confirmed that the surge has raised serious concerns among medical experts.
Director of the AIDS Control Programme, Dr. Tariq Hayat, said that with the newly reported cases, the total number of HIV patients in the province has reached 10,281, compared to 9,800 cases recorded in 2025.
He added that men constitute the majority of cases, with 7,178 male patients, followed by 2,381 women and 235 transgender individuals affected by the disease.
The data also revealed that 487 children under the age of 15 are among those infected, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Health experts have expressed concern over the rising trend, emphasizing that while treatment facilities are being provided under the AIDS Control Programme, increased public awareness and preventive measures are essential to curb the spread of HIV.
